7412: Ruling on breaking fast because of intense heat and to treat the injured

I work in civil defence. When it is Ramadaan, is it permissible for a person to break his fast if he feels intensely thirsty whilst treating the injured?

Published Date: 1999-11-17

Praise be to Allaah.

That is OK, but it is preferable not to break the fast, except in cases
of necessity, and you should make up that day. But so long as a person is
able to complete his fast, it is not permissible for him to break it. But
if an accident happens far away, for example, and the sun is burning down
in the summertime, and you go there to rescue the injured or put out a
fire, and you feel thirsty and are afraid that your thirst will affect you
adversely, then in sha Allaah it is OK to break your fast. Allaah says
(interpretation of the meaning):

“So
keep your duty to Allaah and fear Him as much as you can” [al-Taghaabun
64:16]

“Allaah
burdens not a person beyond his scope” [al-Baqarah 2:286]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“If I command you to do a thing, do as much of it as you can.” (Narrated by
Muslim, no. 1337; al-Nasaa’i, 5/110).

This applies so long as no travel is involved; if the matter involves
travelling, then it is unconditionally permitted to break the fast. And
Allaah knows best.